Premier League: Injury prone XI

Picking up an injury is a footballer's worst nightmare and unfortunately for some individuals they are more prone to injuries than others.

Sitting on the sidelines and spending hours in the gym is not what a professional footballer wants to be doing week in, week out, but it's the sad reality for a lot of stars, especially in the Premier League.

So instead of forgetting about the players that always seem to be injured, we are going to honour them by creating an injury-prone XI.

Now most of the players I choose will still be playing in the Premier League, but there will be a certain few that deserve a special credit just because of how unlucky they were when it came to injuries.

Find out below who makes the injury-prone XI:

Goalkeeper | Lukasz Fabianski

Whenever the Polish shot-stopped has a good run in the Arsenal first-team, he always seems to end up getting injured and then loses his place. Whether it was to Manuel Almunia years ago or to Wojciech Szczesny now, the keeper is prone to pick up little injuries that keep him out for lengthy times. The most recent one being a cracked rib picked up against Norwich City after having great spells in goal.

Right-back | Bacary Sagna

After suffering not one, but two broken legs, it is only a certain time before this Arsenal defender picks up another knock. The two broken legs have really halted his career and have visibly had an effect on the Frenchman and that doesn't help the fact that he is ageing in a very young Arsenal line-up. Hasn't had as many injuries as others, but has had two severe ones.

Centre-back | Ledley King

A famous saying follows Ledley King everywhere he goes 'If he was fit, he would have been England captain at some point'. The defender was quick, strong and read the game extremely well, but he just couldn't keep fit. Nearing the end of his career he struggled to play two games in a week which is not great for a full-time professional so unfortunately the defender called time on his career. What could have been for King...

Centre-back | Nemanja Vidic

A solid centre-back and one of the best in the Premier League, but over the last two seasons, the Serbian is struggling to knock of constant injuries, with a knee injury being his latest issue. Hasn't featured half as much as he would have done if fit and there are a few worried faces around Old Trafford as to whether or not he can get over the injury curse.

Left-back | Kieran Gibbs

Another Arsenal player but another player damned by injury. Been pushing for a first-team spot since Gael Clichy was at the club and once he left, the chance was there for Gibbs, however injury after injury prevented him developing into the player he could have been.

Having said that, it finally looks like he is over the injury nightmare and is finally ready to cement his first-team status. A couple of injuries this season haven't helped either though.

Centre-midfield | Owen Hargreaves

He was that stand-out performer for England back in the 2006 performer and he got a big-time move to Manchester United but then hardly ever featured because of severe injuries. The tireless centre mid was one of the best in his generation, but his fitness levels never held up and ultimately lead to his demise.

After leaving United, he posted videos on YouTube to prove his fitness. He was then signed by Manchester City, but then released a year later. Another classic situation like Ledley King, what could have been...

Centre-midfield | Lucas Leiva

Highly-rated within the Liverpool ranks and finally getting back to full-fitness, but injuries have prevented Lucas from really growing into his own. After battling back from a long-term injury, on his return, he then picked up another injury which saw him ruled out for further months. Finally back around the first-team and hopefully his injury days are over.

Centre-midfield | Abou Diaby

Fourth Arsenal player (boy they are unlucky) but I don't think anyone can argue with this inclusion. Labelled the new Patrick Vieira and when he was on the pitch, you could see why at times. Pacy, strong, great on the ball and a real rock in the centre of the park, but picking up over 20 separate injuries has really halted his career.

After breaking his leg in his debut season, it's only got worse for Diaby and it's been made even worse by him doing ligament damage this season that will see him miss a further nine months.

Right-wing | Kieran Dyer

Another footballer that was highly rated at a young age, but couldn't fulfil that promise because of constant injuries. He was very similar to Lucas and Hargreaves, whenever he returned from injury and played a game, it seemed he would instantly pick up another injury and see him ruled out for even longer than before.

Now applying his trade in the Championship, but still a worthy inclusion in the Premier League injury-prone XI.

Left-wing | Robin van Persie

Normally played in the central role, but when he first joined Arsenal he was deadly from the left-wing and that is where he will feature for us. Now it looks now that Van Persie has finally gotten over his injury curse, but what a curse it was back in his Arsenal days.

Despite his last two seasons at the Emirates, Van Persie was constantly in the medical room and constantly on the sidelines. Could never really get fully-fit and averaged about 20 games a season in all competitions.

Striker | Michael Owen

The wonder-kid that smashed onto our scenes as a teenager, but how his career changed after leaving Liverpool. The striker himself has admitted he played way too much at a younger age and that is why he picked up so many injuries.

Signed eventually to Manchester United and could barely play mainly because of injuries. Left United and joined Stoke City for one last Premier League push, but it appears his body just cannot take it anymore and he has now announced his retirement from the game.

Now I know there are many, many footballers that have also got the injury curse, but these are the 11 that stick out in my mind, however I will give honourable mentions to the likes of: Tomas Rosicky, Djibril Cisse, Dean Ashton, Jamie Redknapp and I'm sure there will be many more. Comment below with your injury-prone players!

DISCLAIMER: This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeFootball Writing Academy and does not represent the views of GiveMeFootball.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article. GiveMeFootball.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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